Being in the kitchen with little ones can be a challenge.
Or, if you’re like me, working in the kitchen can be a challenge in general. I can get so overwhelmed!! I’ve always said, I like the baking part, but I’m not a fan of dishes and all the cleanup that comes along with it.
Therefore, in a quest to simplify life and find more joy in the kitchen, I discovered silicone bakeware. I now swear by it in this season of life.
Today my goal is to answer many of your questions, offer tips and tricks when baking with silicone and show how this floppy technology reduces stress and promotes healthful living.
Basically, silicone is my favorite quick solution for a safe, fun and creative environment.
What is Silicone Bakeware?
Silicone is a rubber-like material that is super flexible (hence the floppy reference above) and very easy to use. It’s available in all different kitchen items– pans, molds, utensils, baking mats. Even my potholders are made from silicone!
It also has characteristics that make it:
- durable in high temperatures (without getting super hot!)
- Easy to clean
- oven, toaster oven, refrigerator, freezer and microwavable friendly
Benefits of Silicone Bakeware
Clearly, that short list is pretty impressive. And if the easy to clean part wasn’t enough to sell you, let’s also look at these benefits:
- Resistant to staining (I can’t stand how metal pans get so nasty!!)
- Dishwasher safe
- Inexpensive
- Safe and easy to store
- Space saving– not only in the cabinet but also when using in fridge, to serve, etc.
- Quiet (my kids go to Nana’s if they want to bang pots and pans!)
- Accessible– available in all different sizes, shapes, designs
How to use Silicone Bakeware:
The list above is quite enticing but it doesn’t end there. I’m all about multi-purpose and you can use silicone so many ways as a mom. For example:
- Baking–safe, quick means more time to create healthier foods at home
- Serving tray— great for condiments/dips, melted chocolate, candies, sprinkles
- Snack or meal tray— This is termed the “snacky lunch” in this house
- Play— ice, water, sensory rice play, holds paint, sorting beads, etc.
Is it good to use Silicone?
Okay, clearly I could go on and on about benefits and uses. However, I bet you’re wondering:
- Is it safe?
- will it melt?
- Will my food taste like rubber?!
These were all my questions too when starting out. And here’s the answer:
Yes– your silicone pans should be safe.
No– they shouldn’t melt.
No– They shouldn’t make food taste funny.
Ensuring quality is top priority (see my tips below).
However, in general, pure silicone is a natural element that is temperature stable and won’t give off worrisome fumes. And more importantly, it does not release or react with food.
It’s actually considered safer than other non-stick metal pans treated with Teflon (which contains PFOA chemical).
And without BPA, it’s much safer than plastic.
Do Silicone pans need to be greased?
One huge advantage of silicone is that it’s naturally non-stick.
However, that being said, I highly recommend lightly spraying silicone pans. You’ll avoid any possibility of scrubbing a pan.
And by spraying, my muffins literally flip right out of pan.
So, if you’re looking for stress free removal and clean up, lightly grease or oil your pans!
How do you clean silicone?
If you do have some residue left behind, silicone is so easy to clean. Here’s the selling point:
- Lightly rub with soap and warm water (You can invert flip pan/muffin cup for super easy cleaning)
- rinse
- dry well
That’s it! How does this compare that to your recent baked egg attempt in a metal pan? Night and day, right? Silicone is life changing in this department!
You can also wash in top rack of dishwasher. And because they flex and bend, that’s a beautiful process too. No more cramming and trying to make all those morning dishes fit. Or worse, having to pick and choose what makes it into the load and what doesn’t.
Do you put silicone directly on the rack?
Yes– you can set the pan directly on the oven rack.
I do recommend placing on sheet pan/cookie sheet for added stability. Especially with a mini muffin pan.
Is it better than baking with metal?
Without a doubt, silicone is 100 percent, absolutely better than metal pans.
However, I will say that I’ve had conversations with family and friends who feel like they didn’t have luck with silicone. For example, a cake didn’t bake all the way through.
There are several reasons this could happen, which I hope to troubleshoot below.
But overall, I encourage you using silicone for easy everyday baking. Hold off on baking your neighbor’s detailed wedding cake, however. You’ll want to read through these tips and gain a bit of experience 😉
Tips and Tricks of Silicone Bakeware:
Here are my best tips and tricks to ease your baking experience.
1. Be aware of temperature ratings
While silicone is stable at very low (freezer) and high temperatures (425 degrees in oven), it’s best to look at specifications on your own silicone prior to purchasing or at least prior to using. Do not exceed those temperatures.
Related to temperature, you bake as directed in your recipe. However, in my experience, bake time may vary slightly.
Pro Tip: If you notice the top is browning quickly, you can cover with foil to help deflect heat
2. Use smaller molds
Smaller items tend to bake better– mini muffins, muffins, small loaves. If you’re looking to make a big cake, I’d suggest baking 2-3 smaller layers and stacking. I made a small 8-inch round cake for my daughter’s birthday, and it cooked up beautifully.
Smaller molds are ideal:
- sized for grab and go
- kid friendly with size and shapes
- easy to store (or freeze!)
3. Invest in your needs
You can literally go silicone crazy because of all the shapes and sizes. While this is fun, be realistic. A cabinet overflowing with silicone you hardly use can just be as annoying as a cabinet crammed with bulky metal pans.
My advice, especially when starting out is keep it simple:
- muffin pan– If you like the stability of metal, you’ll love Trudeau’s muffin pan. Please note: This cannot go in microwave. My other favorite is this 6-cup muffin mold
- mini muffin pan
- round cake pans
Interested in a set? This 18-piece set is a great place to start. Here you can get a good feel, have the best results and maximize use for everyday items.
Pro-Tip: another option is starting with Silicone Baking Cups and using your metal pan. I don’t use these personally, and definitely suggest spraying with non-stick spray.
4, Quality over quantity
Related to above, is to look for quality. You want 100 % pure silicone (food grade) to ensure safety and quality.
So, how do you ensure it’s 100% pure silicone?
Do a Pinch Test!
Upon purchasing, pinch the silicone and twist it a bit. If the color stays the same that means that it’s pure silicone.
However, if it turns a whitish color when twisted, you should avoid that pan. It’s likely the silicone is mixed with another material.
Pro-Tip: It’s important to note that silicone may vary. You may find you like one brand more than another.
5. Find Good Recipes
Desserts are always a great place to start with silicone (think mini–cupcakes, muffins, pies or cheesecakes). I’d also suggest using recipes that use silicone. For example:
For sensory play, please check out:
In Summary
Silicone bakeware is ideal for a busy family. With ease of cleaning, storing and multipurpose uses, you are sure to find silicone helpful. And while the pans themselves won’t turn you into a master chef, I can assure you it will make your life easier. And infuse more joy into baking!
If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself making more snacks and treats at home, saving money and contributing to a healthier lifestyle.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment or feel free to contact me. I’m not an expert but have spent time over the past few years looking into silicone and enjoying this type of bakeware.
And if this has inspired you, I’d love t0 know– be sure to tag me @briefandbalanced so I can see your creations. Thank you!
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